Patent US6500555B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6500555B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermochromic laminates and methods for controlling the temperature of a structure
Assignee: Cygnet Works Inc
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Filing: 2000-09-29
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Granted: 2002-12-31
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Expires: 2020-09-29
Abstract
Abstract Thermochromic laminates, which predictably vary their ability to absorb or reflect electromagnetic radiation, are provided. Laminates of the invention advantageously possess temperature trigger zones, that is, points or ranges of temperature, which function to decrease or increase the amount of electromagnetic energy, and particularly energy in the UV, infrared and visible ranges, that is reflected from the laminate, or absorbed as heat by the laminate and transmitted to an underlying structure. Laminates of the present invention can be provided in a variety of colors and temperature trigger points or ranges, and require no input of external energy except that of the impinging radiation. Laminates of the invention advantageously can be used in methods alone or combined with other materials such as roofing, siding, heat exchangers and other heat transfer materials and are therefore useful to control the temperature of an underlying structure or object.
Inventors
- 👤 Waleed Khaldi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:12
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B3/00; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/0147; B32B7/00; B32B7/02; B32B7/023; F; F24; F24S; F24S50/00; F24S50/80; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/30; B32B2307/40; B32B2311/00; B32B2311/24; B32B2419/00; B32B2419/06; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31678
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A thermochromic laminate comprising: A) a base layer, said base layer having a structure contacting surface for communicating with an underlying structure, and a thermochromic contacting surface for communicating with a thermochromic layer, wherein said base layer is substantially reflective to electromagnetic radiation and substantially conductive to heat, and B) a thermochromic layer, said thermochromic layer having a base layer contacting surface for communicating with said base layer and an outer surface for communicating with said electromagnetic radiation wherein said thermochromic layer is of variable transmissivity to said electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the extent of said transmissivity is determined by the temperature of said thermochromic layer such that a change in said temperature results in a change in the transmissivity of said thermochromic layer and a change in the rate of heat transferred to, or reflected from, said underlying structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A thermochromic laminate comprising: A) a base layer, said base layer having a structure contacting surface for communicating with an underlying structure, and a thermochromic contacting surface for communicating with a thermochromic layer, wherein said base layer is substantially reflective to electromagnetic radiation and substantially conductive to heat, and B) a thermochromic layer, said thermochromic layer having a base layer contacting surface for communicating with said base layer and an outer surface for communicating with said electromagnetic radiation wherein said thermochromic layer is of variable transmissivity to said electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the extent of said transmissivity is determined by the temperature of said thermochromic layer such that a change in said temperature results in a change in the transmissivity of said thermochromic layer and a change in the rate of heat transferred to, or reflected from, said underlying structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein said electromagnetic radiation is thermal radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein an increase in said temperature of said thermochromic layer results in a color change corresponding to an increase in said transmissivity so that the amount of electromagnetic radiation reflected from said base layer through said thermochromic layer and away from said underlying structure is increased and the amount of heat available for absorption by said base layer is thereby decreased.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein a decrease in said temperature of said thermochromic layer results in a color change corresponding to decrease in said transmissivity so that the amount of electromagnetic radiation reflected from said base layer through said thermochromic layer and away from said underlying structure is decreased and the amount of heat available for absorption by said base layer is thereby increased.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The laminate of claim 3 , wherein said increase in said transmissivity of said thermochromic laminate is reversible when said temperature decreases below a temperature trigger zone for said laminate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The laminate of claim 3 , wherein said increase in said transmissivity of said thermochromic laminate is accompanied by a change in the opacity of said thermochromic layer to said thermal radiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The laminate of claim 4 , wherein said decrease in said transmissivity of said thermochromic laminate is reversible when said temperature increases above a temperature trigger zone for said laminate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The laminate of claim 3 , wherein said increase in said transmissivity of said thermochromic laminate is accompanied by a change in the color of said thermochromic layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein said bass layer comprises a metal having the ability to reflect sunlight and conduct heat.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein said base layer comprises a metallic coating having the ability to reflect sunlight and conduct heat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The laminate of claim 7 , wherein said metal is aluminum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein said base layer comprises Mylar.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein said laminate is attached to an underlying structure, such as the roof of a habitable building.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein said electromagnetic radiation is sunlight from the sun.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein said electromagnetic radiation is from artificial sources.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein the emissivity of said base layer is matched to the specific environment in which the underlying structure exists.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laminate of claim 5 , wherein said trigger zone ranges from 19 to 25 degrees C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laminate of claim 5 , wherein said trigger zone ranges from 20 to 24 degrees C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laminate of claim 5 , wherein said trigger zone ranges from 21 to 23 degrees C.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laminate of claim 5 , wherein said trigger zone is less than one-half degree C. in range.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The laminate of claim 1 , formed of materials that can be molded to fit the shapes of surfaces of said underlying structure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein said thermochromic layer comprises at least one electron-donating phenolic compound.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein said electron-donating phenolic compound is enclosed in microcapsules.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein said thermochromic layer is provided in a color coordinated to the esthetic appearance of said underlying structure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein said thermochromic layer is provided in a color that optimizes the amount of opacity or reflectivity desired in a given application of said laminate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein said thermochromic laminate is provided in a form sufficiently malleable to conform to irregular surfaces.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The laminate of claim 1 , wherein said thermochromic laminate is provided in a sheet like form sufficiently flexible to be wrapped around objects.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
69 words
The laminate of claim 1 , further comprising combined with one or more building enclosure material from the group consisting of thermoplastic, vinyl, aluminum, siding, sheathing, bricks, wood, copper, brass, nickel, cement, concrete, masonry, stone, plaster, gypsum, stucco, wall board, drywall, paints, polyethylene, building paper, felt, ABS, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polymers, styrofoam, acrylics, metals, steel, iron, rebar, wire mesh, netting, foils, fiberglass, asphalt, bitumen, ceramics, tiles, shingles, shakes and granules.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
56 words
The laminate of claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional layer C interposed between said layers A and B wherein, said layer C is selected from the group consisting of UV filters, solar cells, filters, process enhancers, sealers, fiberglass, mesh, netting, tints, enhancement films, performance films, specialty films, adhesive, adhesive strips and adhesive films.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
62 words
The laminate of claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional layer D, communicating with and interposed between said structure contacting surface and said structure, wherein said layer D is selected from the group consisting of adhesive, adhesive films, waterproofing, weatherproofing, underlayments, fireproofing, strengtheners, mesh, netting, fiberglass, wood, asphalt, ceramics, tiles, steel, aluminum, copper, metals, foils, asphalt, bitumen, granules and felt.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
56 words
The laminate of claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional layer E communicating with said outer surface of said thermochromic layer, wherein said layer E is selected from the group consisting of UV filters, algae preventers, mold preventers, fungus preventers, moss preventers, lichens preventers, bacteria preventers, fire proofing, specialty films, granules, weatherproofing and waterproofing.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laminate of claim 1 , comprising at least one surface of said structure.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laminate of claim 32 , wherein said surface comprises a roof of said structure.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laminate of claim 32 , wherein said surface comprises at least one wall of said structure.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for using thermochromic laminates to regulate the thermal energy absorption or reflection of a structure to thereby control its temperature comprising providing, in close communication with an underlying structure or object, a thermochromic laminate comprising: A) a base layer, said base layer having a structure contacting surface for communicating with an underlying structure, and a thermochromic contacting surface for communicating with a thermochromic layer, wherein said base layer is substantially reflective to electromagnetic radiation and substantially conductive to heat, and B) a thermochromic layer, said thermochromic layer having a base layer contacting surface for communicating with said base layer and an outer surface for communicating with said electromagnetic radiation, wherein said thermochromic layer is of variable transmissivity to said electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the extent of said transmissivity is determined by the temperature of said thermochromic layer such that a change in said temperature results in a change in the transmissivity of said thermochromic layer and a change in the rate of heat transferred to, or reflected from, said underlying structure.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for using thermochromic laminates to regulate the thermal energy absorption or reflection of a structure to thereby control its temperature comprising providing, in close communication with an underlying structure or object, a thermochromic laminate comprising: A) a base layer, said base layer having a structure contacting surface for communicating with an underlying structure, and a thermochromic contacting surface for communicating with a thermochromic layer, wherein said base layer is substantially reflective to electromagnetic radiation and substantially conductive to heat, and B) a thermochromic layer, said thermochromic layer having a base layer contacting surface for communicating with said base layer and an outer surface for communicating with said electromagnetic radiation, wherein said thermochromic layer is of variable transmissivity to said electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the extent of said transmissivity is determined by the temperature of said thermochromic layer such that a change in said temperature results in a change in the transmissivity of said thermochromic layer and a change in the rate of heat transferred to, or reflected from, said underlying structure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said thermochromic laminate is one that predictably effects color changes in response to changes in temperature.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-12-30 | 2006-07-01 | 2006-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-30 | 2010-07-01 | 2010-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-30 | 2014-07-01 | 2014-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |